Russian Holidays

This holiday is one of the youngest in Russia: it has been celebrated only since 2005. It is dedicated to the victory of the people’s militia in 1612, led by the patriot “from the people” Kozma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, over the foreign interventionists. It ended with one of the most difficult periods in Russian history – the Time of Troubles with its “leapfrog procession” of pretenders to the throne.

Now, “National Unity Day” is a holiday with less than well-established traditions. In many regions, it has a folk complexion: at celebration concerts, artists perform Russian folk songs and dances, highly nationalistic and characteristic of their region. In some cities gala processions and rallies are held. Believers, however, consider this day the Day of Our Lady of Kazan.